Why I like fall

To the Editor,

Right now while I am writing this letter it is a bit rainy and cool. Rain is needed so bad. But this had been one of the most wonderful falls here could ever be. Fall is my favorite time of the year. That started years ago when I was growing up on this lovely farm. We really worked on this farm in the spring and summer. When we had the garden all put in the jars, the sorgum made. We knew we could rest a bit. Everyone should learn how to put in a good day's work.

There was still the chickens to be feed, the eggs to gather. The hogs to feed and the cows to milk. Dad and my brothers still had to cut the heating wood. But not work like in the summer. I think some of my siblings remember that maybe we had to work too hard. I do not remember of thinking we worked too hard. Mother and Dad were right there with us.

I had the wonderful chance of spending a few falls in northeast, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, also Northern Canada. Magnificent doesn't even tell the beauty of the country side.

Now one of the reasons I enjoy the fall is all of the baseball games. This fall I have even watched three games in one day. My sons just shake their heads. Remember the year that St. Louis and Kansas City were in the World Series? Just happened that Grady and I were in Arkansas. We were able to get tickets and we went. Of course I purchased a T-shirt. A few years ago I wore that shirt to town, some people in Poplar Bluff still a bit upset that Kansas City won. Poplar Bluff is a Cardinal town!! They were ready to take the shirt off of me. I have put that shirt in my museum, Kansas City did a bit better this year. That ball team has not done too well the past few years. Can always hope.

I know of some people who have said that sports should be outlawed. I have always thought that sports helped the world's economy, and how many young people would not have a college education, if it was not for sports. The young people need the exercise too!!

A few years ago one of the California teams started to waving what they called rally towels. Since then have been made probably millions of those towels. Now all teams wave the rally towels, except the Yankees. I watched the Yankees last night, not one rally towel. I have often thought this summer that the fans were probably more tired than the players. The way they jump up and down, scream and wave the towels. Last night seen one man at the St. Louis game waving a towel in both hands.

The United States is the only country that goes crazy about baseball. South Africa, England, much of Europe and South America go crazy about soccer. I mean crazy, so many fights break out. I wanted for Grady and I to go to soccer match in South Africa, Grady would not go because of the fights always breakin out . . .

When it gets bitter colds and snow on the ground this winter, just remember the beautiful fall we had.

Irma Houts Epps

Poplar Bluff, Mo